Shrub rose plant named ‘Meirosclem’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of shrub rose plant is provided which forms in abundance on a substantially continuous basis attractive single blossoms that are salmon-orange in coloration and are dusted with red picotee coloration. A compact and mounding growth habit with vigorous vegetation is displayed. Attractive satiny ornamental green foliage is formed that contrasts nicely with the blossom coloration. Superior resistance to Black Spot is exhibited The new variety is particularly well suited for growing as ornamentation in the landscape.

Botanical/commercial classification: Rosa hybrida/Shrub Rose Plant.

Varietal denomination: cv. Meirosclem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of Rosa hybrida shrub rose plant of the presentinvention was created by artificial pollination wherein two parents werecrossed which previously had been studied in the hope that they wouldcontribute the desired characteristics. The female parent (i.e., theseed parent) was the product of the cross of the ‘Bucbi’ variety (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 4,225) and the ‘Macpic’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No.3,351). The male parent (i.e., the pollen parent) of the new variety wasthe product of the cross of the ‘Meipoque’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No.5,956) and the ‘Applejack’ variety (non-patented in the United States).The parentage of the new variety can be summarized as follows:‘(‘Bucbi’×Macpic’)×(‘Meipoque’×‘Applejack’).

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and smallplants were obtained which were physically and biologically differentfrom each other. Selective study resulted in the identification of asingle plant of the new variety. The distinctive characteristics of thenew variety have been further confirmed while growing at Wasco, Calif.,U.S.A.

It was found that the new shrub rose plant of the present inventionpossesses the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   (a) abundantly forms on a substantially continuous basis        attractive single blossoms that are salmon-orange in coloration        and are dusted with red picotee coloration,    -   (b) exhibits a compact and mounding growth habit,    -   (c) forms vigorous vegetation,    -   (d) forms attractive ornamental green foliage with a satiny        finish,    -   (e) exhibits superior resistance to Black Spot, and    -   (f) is particularly well suited for providing attractive        ornamentation in the landscape.

The attractive salmon-orange blossoms contrast nicely with the satinygreen foliage.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry. Itcan be grown to advantage as ornamentation in parks, gardens, publicareas, and in residential settings.

The new variety of the present invention also can be readilydistinguished from its ancestors. More specifically, the ‘Bucbi’ varietyis a considerably larger plant and forms blossoms that are light rose incoloration having more petals. The ‘Macpic’ variety forms deep pinksemi-double blossoms having lighter edges and a white eye. The‘Meipoque’ variety also is considerably larger plant and forms deep pinkblossoms having a white eye. The ‘Applejack’ variety forms largesemi-double neyron rose blossoms that are strippled with crimsoncoloration.

The characteristics of the new variety have been found at Waso, Calif.,U.S.A., and near West Grove, Pa., U.S.A., to be homogeneous and stableand to be strictly transmissible by asexual propagation such as budding,grafting, and the rooting of cuttings from one generation to another.The new variety reproduces true to type by such asexual propagation.

The new variety has been named ‘Meirosclem’, and is being marketed underthe IMPOSTER trademark.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph shows, as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character, atypical flowering plant of the new variety. The illustrated rose plantof the new variety was approximately two years of age and was observedduring September while growing outdoors on ‘Dr. Huey’ (unpatented)rootstock near West Grove, Pa., U.S.A.

The photograph shows the typical salmon-orange blossoms that are dustedwith spots of red picotee coloration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of colors is that of the RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart, Third Edition, 1995),London, England. The description is based on the observation oftwo-year-old specimens of the new variety during September while growingoutdoors on ‘Dr. Huey’ rootstock near West Grove, Pa., U.S.A.

-   Class: Landscape Shrub.-   Plant:    -   -   Height.—Approximately 45 to 60 cm on average at the end of            the growing season.        -   Width.—Approximately 45 to 60 cm on average at the end of            the growing season.        -   Habit.—Compact, mounding, and bushy.-   Branches:    -   -   Thorns.—Size: approximately 5 mm in length on average.            Configuration: substantially triangular when viewed from the            side. Frequency: long prickles≧4 mm commonly number            approximately 9 on average on adult stems and approximately            1 on average on young stems, and small prickles ≦4 mm            commonly number approximately 11 on average on adult stems            and approximately 10 on average on young stems. Base:            somewhat oval, approximately 4 mm in length on average, and            approximately 2 mm in width on average. Color: near Brown            Group 200D on mature wood.        -   Nodes.—Internode length: approximately 1.9 cm on average.            Diameter: approximately 0.5 cm on average. Color: near            Greyed-Purple Group 184A.-   Leaves:    -   -   Length.—For a three-leaflet leaf approximately 48 mm on            average, and for a five-leaflet leaf approximately 62 mm on            average.        -   Width.—For a three-leaflet leaf and a five-leaflet leaf            approximately 60 mm on average at the widest point.        -   Leaflets.—Number 3, 5 and rarely 7. Arrangement: alternate            and pinnate. Shape: typically ovate with a rounded base, and            an acuminate tip. Size: commonly approximately 40 mm in            length on average and approximately 28 mm in width on            average. Margins: fine serrulate. Texture: smooth. Overall            appearance: very dense, leathery, and medium green with a            satiny finish. Color (young foliage): Upper surface: near            Yellow-Green Group 144B with highlights of Red-Purple Group            59A at the margins. Color (adult foliage): Upper surface:            commonly Green Group 136B to Yellow-Green Group 147B.        -   Petioles.—Length: approximately 25 mm on average.        -   Diameter: approximately 1 mm on average. Texture; glabrous.            Color: near Yellow-Green Group 145A.        -   Rachis.—Length: approximately 35 mm on average. Diameter:            approximately 1 mm on average. Texture: glabrous. Color:            near Yellow-Green Group 145A.        -   Stipules.—Length: approximately 10 mm on average. Width:            approximately 2.5 mm on average. Texture: glabrous. Color:            near Yellow-Green Group 145A.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Number of flowers.—Commonly one bloom per stem.        -   Peduncle.—Approximately 40 mm in length on average,            approximately 1.5 mm in diameter on average, typically            covered with small spines, and Yellow-Green Group 144B in            coloration.        -   Sepals.—Typically five in number, possess an acuminate tip            and a truncate base, approximately 24 to 27 mm in length on            average, approximately 5 to 6 mm in width on average, the            upper surface commonly is covered with fine white hairs, the            under surface commonly is covered with short rigid            projections, and with a few foliaceous extensions at the            edges.        -   Buds.—Shape: ovate. Length: approximately 15 to 20 mm on            average as the calyx breaks. Width: approximately 7 to 10 mm            on average as the calyx breaks. Texture: scabrous with a            short hard point. Color: near Yellow-Green Group 145A prior            to the opening of the sepals.        -   Flower.—Form: single and informal. Shape: flat when fully            open. Diameter: approximately 60 to 70 mm on average when            fully open. Color when blooming: Upper surface: mainly Red            Group 47D with random darker picotee areas of near Red Group            53B, and Yellow Group 3A at the base. Under surface: mainly            Red Group 47B with random picotee areas of near Red Group            49B, and Yellow Group 3A at the base. Fragrance: faint.            Petal shape: wedge-shaped with a curled apex. Petal number:            commonly approximately 5 on average under normal growing            conditions. Petal texture: glabrous. Petal margin: entire            Petal apex: rounded. Petal base: commonly cuneate to            narrowly cuneate. Petal size: commonly approximately 35 to            40 mm in length on average, and approximately 30 to 35 mm in            width on average. Petal drop: very good with the petals            detaching cleanly and freely before drying. Stamen number:            approximately 75 on average. Anthers: commonly approximately            1.8 to 2 mm in length on average, approximately 1 mm in            width on average, and near Yellow-Orange Group 33A in            coloration. Filaments: typically approximately 9 to 12 mm in            length, approximately 1 mm in diameter, and near Red Group            48B in coloration. Pollen: near Yellow-Orange Group 22A in            coloration. Styles: approximately 4.2 mm in length on            average, and near Orange-Red Group 33A in coloration.            Stigmas: commonly approximately 0.6 mm in length,            approximately 1 mm in width, and near Yellow-Orange Group            19B in coloration with some patches of Orange Group 29B.            Receptacle: when flowers are fully open commonly            approximately 8 mm in length and approximately 5 mm in            diameter. Lasting quality: commonly approximately one week            on the plant as well as when cut and placed in a vase.-   Development:    -   -   Vegetation.—Vigorous and strong.        -   Blossoming.—Abundant and substantially continuous.        -   Resistance to diseases.—Superior with respect to Black Spot.        -   Formation of hips/seeds.—None observed during observations            to date.

1. A new and distinct shrub rose plant characterized by the followingcombination of characteristics: (a) abundantly forms on a substantiallycontinuous basis attractive single blossoms that are salmon-orange incoloration and are dusted with red picotee coloration, (b) exhibits acompact and mounding growth habit, (c) forms vigorous vegetation, (d)forms attractive ornamental green foliage with a satiny finish, (e)exhibits superior resistance to Black Spot, and (f) is particularly wellsuited for providing attractive ornamentation in the landscape;substantially as herein shown and described.